Sheil Kapadia

Philly.com

Former Eagles defensive back Tom Brookshier
died Friday night at the age of 78, the team announced today.

Brookshier spent seven seasons with the Eagles, starting in
1953 after the Birds drafted him in the 10th round out of Colorado. He
earned All-Pro honors twice and was part of the last Eagles team to win
a championship, in 1960.

He is one of seven Eagles players to have his number (40)
retired.

Andy Reid released the
following statement earlier today:

"Tom Brookshier is one of all-time greats, both for what he
did on the field and for the kind of man he was off the field. I will
always remember him for his booming and bright personality. He had an
uncanny love for life, a love for his family and a love for the game of
football, especially for the Philadelphia Eagles. He bled green and I
will always cherish our conversations and the relationship that we
fostered throughout my tenure in Philadelphia. Our deepest condolences
go out to his wife, Barbara, and the rest of the Brookshier
family.”

After his playing days, Brookshier teamed with Pat
Summerall on CBS' top broadcast team.

Here is what some current and former members of the Eagles organization said
today about Brookshier:

Eagles Chairman
Jeffrey Lurie:
“One of the reasons we have always been so proud to be a part
of the Eagles family is because great men of character like Tom
Brookshier were the bricks in the foundation of the franchise. This man
could literally light up a room, and he brought the same passion and
intensity to his playing and broadcasting careers. Tom Brookshier will
forever remain an integral part of the Philadelphia Eagles. He was and
will always be a champion. Christina and I send our heartfelt
condolences to his wife, Barbara, his family, and anyone who had the
pleasure of calling Tom Brookshier a friend."

Eagles President Joe
Banner:
“As few may know, back in the mid 1970s, I worked in
broadcasting in Philadelphia at the same station [WCAU] as Tom
Brookshier. Although I was only 21 years old at the time and very
inexperienced, the first person to greet, embrace and take me under his
wing was Tom. I will never forget that such a highly accomplished,
highly respected person that Tom was and will forever be in this city,
took the time to welcome and care for me. I will never forget his
warmth and friendly personality.”

Hall of Famer Chuck
Bednarik and former teammate of Brookshier:
“Tom Brookshier represented everything you could want in a
teammate and friend. Brookie was one of the best people that
I’ve ever known and I am proud to have remained his friend
for so many years. He was always a leader on the field and in the
locker room and might have been the toughest defensive back of our era;
he was a hitter. We’ve lost one of the great Eagles of all
time.”

Hall of Famer Tommy
McDonald and former teammate of Brookshier:
“Put a Tom Brookshier on your team and you're going to have a
winner. Nobody said we were going to beat Green Bay [in the 1960 NFL
Championship game]. Well, look at what we did! The 1960 team lost a
brother. That 1960 team was family. He had an outstanding personality.
He was a happy person to be around. That's why he was so successful in
color commentary … He was the type of person you wanted to
have as your brother. He had strong leadership ability on defense with
Chuck Bednarik and everybody. You could always depend on him. He was a
leader. I will miss knowing that I won't be able to see him anymore,
but he's on God's team now.”

Former Eagles quarterback
and Monday Night Football analyst Ron Jaworski:
“Tom Brookshier was an icon in Philadelphia sports. When I
was traded to the Eagles in 1977, Tom took me under his wing and taught
me the passion of Philadelphia Eagles fans. For that, I am forever
grateful. Brookie also led by example; he was always willing to give
back to the community. His commitment to the Maxwell Football Club
helped it become recognized as the number one club in America to
promote the game of football at all levels. We lost a great leader in
Tom Brookshier.”

Longtime Eagles public
relations director Jim Gallagher:
“Brookie was a special person and a heckuva football player.
After his career was stopped short by a broken leg, he got into radio
and TV and did a super job with that. He was one of the best in the
business working alongside Pat Summerall. Tom was really one of the
best tacklers I have ever seen - he tackled like Pop Warner would want
him to. But the thing I remembered most about him as a player was that
he was a team leader. All the guys loved him and thought the world of
him. He was a dear friend. When Brookie came into a room, it lit up
like sunshine.”